a reaction to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reaction to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a response or response behavior that was triggered by an event or idea. For example: "The mayor's fiery speech was met with a reaction to widespread applause from the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is a reaction to the power.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a reaction to that.

The New York Times

"This is a reaction to their thinking".

The New Yorker

"It was a reaction to state policy.

The New York Times

It's a reaction to what's happening.

The New York Times - Magazine

Write a reaction to this book.

The New York Times

Terrell had a reaction to different pills.

The New York Times - Sports

It's all obviously a reaction to racism.

The New Yorker

So it was a reaction to that.

The Guardian - Music

That is a reaction to human tragedy".

The New York Times

"We are considering a reaction to this.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a reaction to" when you want to clearly indicate that an action, feeling, or event is a direct response to something else. For example, "The market's volatility was a reaction to the unexpected economic news."

Common error

Avoid using "a reaction to" interchangeably with phrases like "an action against" or "a solution for" when the intended meaning is not a direct response, but rather an opposing action or a resolution to a problem. For instance, instead of saying "The protest was a reaction to the new law" when you mean opposition, consider "The protest was an action against the new law".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reaction to" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating a causal relationship. It connects an event, action, or feeling to its cause or trigger. Ludwig's examples confirm its role in illustrating responses to various stimuli.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a reaction to" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express causality, indicating that an event, action, or feeling is a direct response to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and academic contexts. To ensure clarity, use it when you want to explicitly link a cause and effect. While alternatives like "a response to" or "in response to" exist, "a reaction to" specifically highlights the reactive nature of the event being described. Therefore, it is important to distinguish its use from proactive measures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a response to

Focuses more generally on the act of responding without necessarily implying causality.

in response to

Emphasizes the action taken as a direct result of something else.

an answer to

Implies a direct solution or reply to a problem or question.

a consequence of

Highlights the result or effect of something, emphasizing the logical connection.

a result of

Similar to "a consequence of", but more neutral in tone and application.

due to

A shorter, more direct way to indicate causality.

because of

Similar to "due to", but often used in more informal contexts.

stemming from

Suggests that something originates or arises from a particular source or cause.

attributed to

Indicates that something is believed to be caused by a specific factor.

in the wake of

Used to describe something that happens after and as a result of a significant event.

FAQs

How can I use "a reaction to" in a sentence?

Use "a reaction to" to show that something is a direct response to something else. For instance: "His outburst was "a reaction to" the constant criticism".

What's a good alternative to "a reaction to"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a response to", "a result of", or "in response to" as alternatives.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a reaction to"?

While grammatically correct, using "a reaction to" might be inappropriate if the context implies a proactive measure rather than a response. In such cases, phrases like "a measure against" or "a solution for" might be more accurate.

What's the difference between "a reaction to" and "an action against"?

"A reaction to" implies a direct response to a preceding event or situation. "An action against", on the other hand, suggests opposition or a countermeasure. For example, "His resignation was "a reaction to" the scandal", while "The lawsuit was "an action against" the company".